GA Bar Exam Prep

Barbara Katz offers a three-week course on the Georgia essay and Multistate Performance Test (MPT) exam. This course is designed to help students maximize their scores on the Georgia essays and MPT portion of the bar exam. As part of the course curriculum, students will be assigned essays and MPTs, and will receive individualized written feedback on their graded papers. Class time will emphasize the best strategy for approaching the test, time management, how to structure the written answers, how to outline the information provided in the MPT, and synthesize the library into a cohesive synthesis of the law. Some time will be reserved to help individual students create a structure for their studies, manage their available time, and make the best use of the bar review materials at their disposal.

Class size is usually limited. THE SATURDAY SECTION IS FILLED AND WE HAVE OPENED A FRIDAY AFTERNOON SECTION FOR AN ADDITIONAL 8 STUDENTS, to be held in January 2019 on the following three consecutive Friday afternoons, January 11th, 18th and 25th from 2PM until approximately 6:30PM.

REGISTRATION FOR THIS CLASS REMAINS OPEN UNTIL CLASS IS FILLED; HOWEVER, REGISTERING EARLY IS IMPORTANT, AS THERE ARE PRE-COURSE ASSIGNMENTS THAT MUST BE COMPLETED PRIOR TO THE FIRST CLASS.

The class meets as a group for approximately three hours each week, and then Ms. Katz will hold office hours to meet individually with students and answer specific questions they may have that weren’t covered during the class. Students are encouraged to bring study materials with them, so they can utilize the time until their scheduled individual appointment with Ms. Katz.

Course tuition is $950.00 and must be paid in advance, by personal check, VISA, Mastercard or Discover card.

To register, please contact us and, if there is availability we will send you a registration form.

Ms. Katz also offers private tutoring for the essay and MPT portion of the bar. However, the three-week course is a prerequisite for any and all private tutoring.

Comments from previous students who passed the bar:

I cannot recommend this class enough! Before I took Barbara’s class, I had taken the bar exam three times and gotten three scores of 259, 252, and 262. After I took her class, I took the bar exam for a fourth time and got a score of 285! Barbara’s class was the main reason. It was my essay score that really put me over the edge. She really explains what the bar examiners are looking for and gives you practical techniques on how to approach each MPT and essay. I used her techniques for each MPT and essay question and the result speak for itself. I would highly recommend anyone looking for an essay class to stop looking and sign up. Practice, practice, practice the techniques she teaches and use them!
~Elijah A., Feb 2018

Best decision I ever made!!!! I improved 26 points for the essay portion of the bar exam on my second try! I wish Barbara was my LRW professor in law school. I learned more about legal writing after just one class with Barbara than 3 years in law school. Not only does she give you the tools you need to pass, she also gives you the confidence you need to overcome the anxiety, stress, and fear towards the bar. I most certainly would not have passed the second time without Barbara’s help. I walked in with all the tools and strategy she taught in class. I walked out of the exam room feeling like I absolutely crushed the essays. And I did!! Guys, 26 points increase! Thank you, Barbara!
~Joey, Feb 2018

I took Barbara’s legal writing bar prep class before the Feb 2018 test and she not only helped to vastly improve my legal writing skills but boosted my confidence level by an order of magnitude! Before taking her class I was so nervous taking the bar exam I was sick to my stomach. During this last (and final!!!) bar exam I was ice calm and able to focus so much better than before. Whether you need to fine tune your legal writing skills or need a confidence boost, I highly recommend her class!
~Diana, Feb 2018

I recently passed the February 2018 bar exam, due largely to this focused writing class. After missing the passing score on the February and July 2017 bar exams and realizing the essay portion of the exam was where I struggled most, I searched for a reasonably priced class that focused on the essay portion of the bar exam. Ms. Katz prep class came up on the first page of my google search. This was hands down, the best money I ever spent. The class was focused, provided tips for getting the maximum number of points, and provided detailed, one-on-one feedback. Ms. Katz pointed out both the strengths and weaknesses in my writing. I got more out of this class than I got out of any writing class in law school. The proof is in the numbers, my essay score improved 9 points over my best previous essay score. I highly recommend this class.
~Sheryl, January 2018

There is a certain amount of science behind bar exams, and Barbara shows you how to reach the necessary passing score by drawing on her actual experience as a former legal writing professor, as well as a long-standing bar tutor. Her teaching is very methodical and you learn to no longer be scared of the bar exam but actually embrace it after learning, or “cracking”, the ways that the bar examiners think and write questions year after year. Combined with self-study of the MBE multiple-choice questions, her essay/MPT course should get you the necessary score to pass the bar exam and claim your law license! Thank you Barbara!
~An applicant who passed on his second try in February 2018 (essay/MPT score increased by 28 points)

I have no doubt that I would not have passed the Bar Exam if I had not taken Barbara’s class. I am a LL.M. graduate and English is not my first language, so I’ve always struggled with the written part of the Exam. After taking Barbara’s class and by following her method, I improved my essay score by 13 points and was finally able to pass the exam. I definitely recommend her course to anyone who needs to improve their essay score.
~ Helen, July 2017

Taking Barbara’s course helped me improve my essay and MPTs scores by 19 points. Barbara taught me how to properly organize my answers to maximize my score. She explained what the examiners are looking for. She taught me that knowing the law is not enough to get a passing grade, and I learned what was needed to achieve a passing score. Barbara’s course played a key role in my successful passage of the Georgia bar exam. Thank you Barbara!
~ Feb. 2017

I am so thankful I decided to take Katz’s writing class. I had no idea what I was doing wrong on my previous attempts. She showed the method for grabbing the grader’s attention and including everything they are looking for. Having a comfort level with the writing requirements relieved most of my anxiety about the MPTs and essays so I could relax and practice writing faster and longer. I will definitely recommend this class for anyone who needs a dramatic increase in their writing score.

~Brian, Feb. 2016

This class was the reason I passed the February 2016 GA Bar! As a repeater, I knew my weakness was writing. Ms. Katz helped me identify my strengths and weaknesses. Throughout the process, she provided invaluable feedback and encouragement. Thanks to Ms. Katz’s methods, I raised my writing score by 20 points.
~T. Williams

If you have any concern about the written portion of the Georgia Bar (and probably any other state bar), I cannot recommend this course enough. I had taken the exam before and, as a result of this course, my written score increased by double digits. I have struggled with writing under timed conditions and this course helped me to be more focused and efficient. If you follow, employ and practice Professor Katz’s methods, you will do well on the exam.
~Rodrick, July 2015

Ms. Katz’s class made the difference in my passing the Bar Exam. Her step-by-step process truly prepared me for the MPT and Essay portions of the Bar and showed me exactly what Bar Exam Graders were looking for in an answer. All I have to say is, without her, I don’t believe I would have gotten my grade of 160 (an improvement of 25 points) on the written portion. If you struggle with multiple choice like most of us do and need to make up the extra points on the written portion of the exam, take Ms. Katz’s class!
~ Jonathan, July 2015

Thank you for your guidance and support while I was preparing for the Georgia Bar. When I signed up for your training, I had gone to law school in Florida and was licensed to practice there. I was unsure how to prepare for the Georgia Bar Exam because Florida did not require the MPT. At the beginning of my preparation, my anxiety level was high. However, by the end of your course, I had a keen understanding of what to expect and my high level of anxiety had been replaced with a sense of empowerment. The information you shared in the bar prep workshop made the difference in my level of confidence and definitely aided in my success. Thanks for your professionalism and commitment to the success of your students!
~ Rowena, February 2015

I passed the Georgia Bar thanks to Ms. Katz’s focused instruction on the elements of a substantive essay. Her attention to improving my personal writing style was instrumental in maximizing my score. Ms. Katz quickly identified the areas of my writing that needed strengthening, and provided instruction that helped me understand how to structure and organize a comprehensive essay. I raised my writing score 17 points under her tutelage. I strongly recommend her course.
~ Keenan Rogers, February 2015

I did not pass the bar exam my first time. I knew the law and had a very good score on my MBE, but the written portion of the exam killed my score. This course introduced me to strategies on how to attack the MPT and the essay portion of the exam. Nobody will know everything, but Barbara showed me how to maximize my score on the areas that I knew and on the areas that I didn’t. My written score improved by 14 points.
~ Andy, July 2014

Not only did I enjoy the course, but I got all the information I needed to successfully get through day one of the Georgia Bar. I had no idea what the examiners were looking for before taking the Katz course. I passed! Day one piece of cake! Thank you!
~ D. Stewart, July 2014

Before taking Ms. Katz class, I had taken the BAR three times to no avail. Time management was my main problem. Each time I took the exam, I always ran out of time. I had a hard time managing and organizing both the essay and the MPT portion. After learning about Ms. Katz program through a friend, I immediately signed up for her course. I figured I had nothing to lose. Best decision I ever made!!!! Her class not only helped me organize my writing, but my confidence was also restored. It gave me the will to try again, unafraid. Seeing my name on the pass list this past summer was the best feeling I’ve had in a long time. I finally felt vindicated. Thank you, prof. Katz!!!
~ S.J., July 2013

“Barbara Katz’s Essay Writing Program gave me the confidence to conquer the essays without fear and anxiety. I dreaded the writing portion of the bar. However, with Barbara’s strategies and methods, I walked into the Bar Exam feeling confident and ready. One the day of the exam, I followed all of her suggestions and methods, and I am honored to say I passed the 2013 Georgia Bar Exam.”
~ April, July 2013

When I stumbled upon your website this past summer, I’d already taken the bar exam two times. I was discouraged about my writing and unsure of what I should I do next. Barbara, you restored my confidence in my ability to write. When I took the exam for a third time this summer, I ran into a time crunch, but with the steps you’d gone over with me and the essay structure you’d ingrained in me, during the exam, I remained confident that I was composing succinct answers. My overall score increased by 20 points, with over 2/3 of those points going towards my written score. Thanks so much for working with me and for always being very thorough and positive. Your services were a great investment–I can’t thank you enough.
~ Leigh, July 2012

Thank you so much for working with me this summer. Because of your course, I not only passed the exam, but I did so comfortably! My essay score increased by 17 points (31 points overall)! I’m overjoyed, and I am positive that your pointers for dealing with the essays put me over the top. Your strategy for conquering the MPTs allowed me to complete them with confidence, and your essay suggestions were exactly what I needed to keep me organized during the exam. I’m so grateful for your continued encouragement, and for helping me to believe that I could do it. Thank you again, and keep doing what you’re doing!
~ B.C., July 2012

As you are aware I was not successful back on the Feb ’12. But grazed it by hairs this past Jul. My writing score was higher than my MBE score both times. Thank you, thank you many times over! I am more than confident my investment in your writing course made all the difference!!! Most importantly you gave me confidence, something I often lacked about my writing in law school. Pin-pointing how and why I lost writing points was phenomenal!
~ Kim (July 2012)

My friend and fellow attorney recommended your bar writing course when I had difficulty passing the bar and I cannot thank her enough! Barbara, the skills I learned in your class gave me the confidence and organization I needed to stay focused while writing essays for the bar. I honestly feel that what I learned during your course helped me compose very succinct answers. What you taught me pushed me over the top and I would recommend your course to anyone! Thanks so very much for all of your help!
~ S.N.

Barbara’s class was exactly what I needed to help me structure my writing for both the essay and MPT portion of the exam.I struggled with managing the material for the MPT, but using her method helped me identify the important pieces of the puzzle and put together cohesive, high-scoring MPTs.I truly feel that it is a result of her instruction that I passed the February bar exam and would not hesitate to recommend her class.
~ April S. (February 2012)

It is with great gratitude that I send this email. I have struggled to pass the bar exam and repeatedly failed the test by just a few points each time. I took your class and as a result my score increased 17 points! I did much better on the writing portion of the test. I applied the strategies that you teach in class and they worked! Thank you for your patience and encouragement. You are the best!
~Tiana (July 2011)

Thank you so so much for the help and encouragement you offered during your January 2011 bar prep class. I am so happy to tell you that I raised my score 23 points. Your class really was just what I needed. Not only did it give me the right organization and structure to use for the exam, but I also gained so much confidence.
~ Amanda F. (January 2011)

I would like to thank you for all the pointers you gave me this past summer!! There is no way I could have passed the exam without your assistance. I cried for three hours after I saw the certificate. Your expertise allowed me to see exactly where I was lacking in my essays. You also served as a counselor for me and encouraged me to let go of the past failures. In sum, you were an angel to me. I thank God for your unselfishness and I thank God that I passed the Georgia bar. Wow! I am an attorney now. God is good!!!!!
~K.G. (July 2010)

I want to thank you for helping me study for the July (09) Georgia Bar Exam. After two previous failing attempts, I passed, and I am very happy about that. The work we did on essay writing and especially formatting helped me a great deal. The one-on-one attention (even though I was in D.C.) was great, I am SURE this is what put me over the top. Again, thank you!
~William (July 2009)

I passed! Thank you for all of your help over the summer. You truly gave me the blueprint to pass!
~Angela (July 2009)

Thank you! . . . I really appreciated your help and motivation. It definitely helped as I prepared for the bar. . . . I’m so glad it is over. I wish you all the best, and if you ever have a student requesting information about your services, I will gladly serve as a referral.
~L. Lee (February 2009)

Thank you Barbara. I certainly don’t think I could have done it without you. I appreciate all of your help, advice, and words of encouragement. Hopefully one day (if I ever find a job in Atlanta- things are tough out there!), I can take you out to lunch for a proper token of appreciation.
~Kate (February 2009)

Thank you Barbara!!! I sincerely appreciate the help that you offered in your class. CIRAC made much of the difference!!!
~Nicole (February 2009)

Barbara’s tutoring gave me directed, targeted advice on how to prepare for the essay and MPT portion of the bar exam. I threw out my previously purchased essay prep course books after meeting with her. I did not have an abundance of time on my hands with a new baby but Barbara guided me through the process efficiently…and I passed!
~B. Gearhart (July 2007)

From 1994 through 2006, Ms. Katz was the program coordinator and writing instructor in the Bar Admissions Court of Study, a Georgia bar review course administered by Georgia State University School of Law. This course has been suspended indefinitely, although information about the course may still available at its web site.